Patents by Inventor Ajay Vora

Ajay Vora has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250236055
    Abstract: A golf ball mold assembly for quickly and efficiently eliminating air from within a mold includes a mold defining an interior spherical cavity for holding a golf ball subassembly. The mold assembly has a venting assembly having a plurality of pins extending parallel to an axis, the plurality of pins comprising a stationary center vent pin, a plurality of stationary flow-through pins, and a plurality of retractable pins. The mold assembly also has a vacuum bushing having a plurality of vent holes that extend parallel to the axis and lead to a collection area. A plurality of vent paths are formed from the interior spherical cavity to the collection area of the vacuum bushing, including at least one center vent path and at least one surrounding vent path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 12350869
    Abstract: Improved injection molding methods and molds, for forming TPU layers, especially thin TPU covers, into golf ball constructions, and having improved number, shape and placement of both the injection gates and the cold slugs within the mold in order to minimize/eliminate damage to dimples strategically positioned close to the parting line of a mold in order to maximize aerodynamic properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 12151415
    Abstract: A hot to cold runner system for a golf ball injection mold is disclosed. The hot to cold runner system includes a hot runner for supplying layer-forming material in a molten state, the hot runner including a heated manifold having a hot runner drop connected thereto, and a cold runner operatively connected to the hot runner drop such that the cold runner is in fluid communication with the hot runner. The cold runner injects the material into a mold cavity to form a golf ball layer over a core. Methods of forming a golf ball layer by injection molding using the hot to cold runner system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Ajay Vora
  • Publication number: 20240286328
    Abstract: Improved injection molding methods and molds, for forming TPU layers, especially thin TPU covers, into golf ball constructions, and having improved number, shape and placement of both the injection gates and the cold slugs within the mold in order to minimize/eliminate damage to dimples strategically positioned close to the parting line of a mold in order to maximize aerodynamic properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 11969925
    Abstract: Improved injection molding methods and molds, for forming TPU layers, especially thin TPU covers, into golf ball constructions, and having improved number, shape and placement of both the injection gates and the cold slugs within the mold in order to minimize/eliminate damage to dimples strategically positioned close to the parting line of a mold in order to maximize aerodynamic properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 11813501
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20230339157
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold while better centering a subassembly in the mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton, Kevin J. Rice, Donald A. Serino
  • Publication number: 20230234268
    Abstract: Improved injection molding methods and molds, for forming TPU layers, especially thin TPU covers, into golf ball constructions, and having improved number, shape and placement of both the injection gates and the cold slugs within the mold in order to minimize/eliminate damage to dimples strategically positioned close to the parting line of a mold in order to maximize aerodynamic properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 11697231
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold while better centering a subassembly in the mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton, Kevin J. Rice, Donald A. Serino
  • Patent number: 11618192
    Abstract: Improved injection molding methods and molds, for forming TPU layers, especially thin TPU covers, into golf ball constructions, and having improved number, shape and placement of both the injection gates and the cold slugs within the mold in order to minimize/eliminate damage to dimples strategically positioned close to the parting line of a mold in order to maximize aerodynamic properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 11529755
    Abstract: Golf ball molds and methods for molding golf balls, particularly golf balls having thermoplastic polyurethane covers, are provided. The molds and methods are particularly suitable for manufacturing covers for golf balls. Multi-piece golf balls having inner cores, outer cores, inner covers, and intermediate layers can be made. Retractable pins are used for holding the golf ball within the mold, wherein each retractable pin has a primary vent section, secondary vent section, and tertiary vent section for removing air and other gasses from the interior spherical cavity of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20220370861
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 11406878
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20210178646
    Abstract: Improved injection molding methods and molds, for forming TPU layers, especially thin TPU covers, into golf ball constructions, and having improved number, shape and placement of both the injection gates and the cold slugs within the mold in order to minimize/eliminate damage to dimples strategically positioned close to the parting line of a mold in order to maximize aerodynamic properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20210094210
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold while better centering a subassembly in the mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thorton, Kevin J. Rice, Donald A. Serino
  • Publication number: 20210093931
    Abstract: Golf ball methods and molds for quickly and efficiently eliminating air/gas from within a mold during golf ball manufacture and the improved golf balls resulting therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20210094209
    Abstract: Golf ball molds and methods for molding golf balls, particularly golf balls having thermoplastic polyurethane covers, are provided. The molds and methods are particularly suitable for manufacturing covers for golf balls. Multi-piece golf balls having inner cores, outer cores, inner covers, and intermediate layers can be made. Retractable pins are used for holding the golf ball within the mold, wherein each retractable pin has a primary vent section, secondary vent section, and tertiary vent section for removing air and other gasses from the interior spherical cavity of the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, John M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 10894348
    Abstract: Method of making golf ball comprising aligning thermoformed depressions with dimpled mold cups and applying sufficient heat and suction to the thermoformed depressions without exposing any preselected subassembly to the heat and suction to soften the polymeric material of each thermoformed depression and draw air outward from a volume located between an inner surface of the dimpled mold cup and an outer surface of the thermoformed depression to form a thermoformed pre-form half-shell having an outer surface with the size, shape and contour of the inner surface of the dimpled mold cup(s) and an inner surface with the size, shape and contour of the outer surface of a preselected subassembly. Afterwards, a preselected subassembly is loaded between a pair of thermoformed pre-form half-shells and molded under sufficient short-term heat and suction to form the golf ball. The thickness of each thermoformed depression and thermoformed pre-form half-shell may be tapered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Ajay Vora
  • Publication number: 20190381712
    Abstract: Method of making golf ball comprising aligning thermoformed depressions with dimpled mold cups and applying sufficient heat and suction to the thermoformed depressions without exposing any preselected subassembly to the heat and suction to soften the polymeric material of each thermoformed depression and draw air outward from a volume located between an inner surface of the dimpled mold cup and an outer surface of the thermoformed depression to form a thermoformed pre-form half-shell having an outer surface with the size, shape and contour of the inner surface of the dimpled mold cup(s) and an inner surface with the size, shape and contour of the outer surface of a preselected subassembly. Afterwards, a preselected subassembly is loaded between a pair of thermoformed pre-form half-shells and molded under sufficient short-term heat and suction to form the golf ball. The thickness of each thermoformed depression and thermoformed pre-form half-shell may be tapered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Ajay Vora
  • Patent number: 10046210
    Abstract: Golf ball having CoR of at least 0.700 and comprising: a substantially spherical subassembly having diameter of 1.3 inches or greater and compression of from about 15-60; and a thin outer layer having a compression molded thickness of about 0.015-0.055 inches and consisting of first and second hemispherical cups consisting of a polymer composition having a melt flow index at 190° C. under a 2.16-kg load of from about 0.8 g/10 min. to about 4 g/10 min. and having a cup thickness ratio of from about 1.10 to 1.70 as well as an inner surface that is sized, shaped and contoured to receive and conformally and adhesively mate onto and about the subassembly during compression molding such that the subassembly in the finished golf ball is substantially spherical and disposed concentrically within the thin outer layer. Also, the novel hemispherical cups and the method of making the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ajay Vora, Donald A. Serino